African newspapers of all sizes invited to showcase excellence in Media Management in the RAP 21 Newspaper Management Prize. A prize that exclusively recognises excellence in African newspaper management has been created by the World Association of Newspapers. The award, which carries a grand prize of €3000, is the first of its kind ever to be introduced on the continent.

“Newspapers all over the world are having to fight harder than ever for success in today’s media environment, and Africa is no exception. Through this prize, we aim to recognise those newspapers which profit from innovative management and business strategies to overcome these obstacles to make their newspapers a success,” says Timothy Balding, Director General of the World Association of Newspapers. “No newspaper is too large or too small to qualify for the RAP 21 newspaper management prize. We are searching for excellence in management and leadership, and this can be found in a newspaper with a circulation of 500 or 5000.”

A cash prize of €3000 will be awarded to the overall winning newspaper, and a prize of €1000 will be awarded to the two runner-ups. The winning case studies will be carried in the World Association of Newspapers Newsletter, a publication that reaches over 25,000 national newspaper associations and individual members. Publicity for the winning newspapers will also be carried through the RAP 21 newsletter and website. Entries will be judged by a jury made up of leading newspaper experts within the WAN network.

The winning publications will have shown excellence in strategies to improve one of the following areas in newspaper management:
Circulation and Readership
Printing and Distribution
Advertising and Marketing
Personnel Management

How to enter: Each newspaper must fill out a detailed application form clearly outlining the successful management strategy that has led to a concrete improvement in the operation of his/her newspaper.

This improvement must be as far as possible quantifiable, such as an increase in circulation due to a specific strategy to attract readership, the creation of an improved distribution system, a marketing strategy to boost readership, an advertising initiative to increase revenues from advertisers, or initiatives to improve staff training and or loyalty, which have shown a fundamental improvement in staff morale. A section which clearly states the most pressing problems in your newspaper market should accompany the submission.

To request an application form, email rap21@wan.asso.fr

Deadline: 11 March, 2005